Protect Your Network Against Spyware

Spyware is a growing concern. To address that concern, you need to know how to defend your systems and the types of antispyware solutions available so you can choose which type best fits your needs. It's also helpful to know about some of the vendors that currently provide centrally manageable antispyware solutions. (If you're unfamiliar with what spyware is, see the Web-exclusive sidebar "The Scoop on Spyware," http://www.windowsitpro.com/windowssecurity, InstantDoc ID 47323.)

Common Sense Defenses
Defending against the infiltration of spyware can be achieved by educating users and by implementing antispyware solutions. Because spyware is similar to viruses, Trojan horses, and worms, you prevent it by using the same common-sense techniques. Users should be leery of unknown third-party applications, no matter how appealing those applications are. They should also be suspicious of unfamiliar Web sites, particularly those that force the use of JavaScript, ActiveX, and other forms of Web-based controls, because those technologies can easily be used to install spyware. And because many email clients have built-in functionality to render and display HTML-based content, users should be wary of all unsolicited email. . . .